William Savery Bates was a leading Orthodox Friend in Ohio YM. He was the son of Benjamin and Tacy Bates and (obviously) named after the renowned Philadelphia Friends minister William Savery. During his early years, he attended the University of Pennsylvania and became a medical doctor, establishing his practice at Smithfield, Ohio, in 1828. Bates was serving as Assistant Clerk of the Men's YM at the time of the Gurney division. Rather than choose sides, Bates left Friends altogether and began to worship with the local Presbyterian meeting. He was the most prominent Friend among several who left Friends as a result of the division. He lost his membership when he remarried in 1856.
Sources: EAQG 4:464; Family Search |
